What do bad iridium spark plugs look like?

If the spark plug spark gap is too small or the spark plug electrodes are damaged, you will not be able to produce enough sparks to ignite the fuel mixture. This will cause misfires and poor engine performance. If the iridium spark plug metal is discolored or chipped, it is probably due to exposure to the elements. If the spark plug has a hole in it, it should be immediately replaced.

What do dirty iridium spark plugs look like?

When spark plugs don’t have enough iridium coating, you’ll notice a black or gray deposit on the electrode. The deposit is usually thicker at the tip of the electrode. Deposits of oil, fuel, and other contaminants are possible causes of dirty spark plugs. If your spark plug is black or gray, you’ll want to have it replaced.

What do burned iridium spark plugs look like?

The iridium spark plugs that have been in your car for a very long time don’t look any different than the ones that were brand new when you purchased your car. If you notice that the spark plug electrodes are blackened, it’s likely because of carbon buildup rather than iridium oxidation. However, if the iridium spark plug electrodes have turned green or black, it’s an indicator that iridium oxidation has begun. If iridium spark plug electrodes become blackened

What do black iridium spark plugs look like?

One of the most common causes of black iridium spark plugs is an accumulation of soot on the electrodes. This soot tends to form when the air-fuel mixture is very rich, burning too much fuel. This causes carbon deposits to form on the iridium electrode, making it black. While black iridium spark plugs are serviceable, iridium spark plugs are expensive and should be replaced when the black iridium spark plug sparks or fire again.

What do dirty old iridium spark plugs look like?

Often, spark plugs that are dirty look black or dark gray. This is because they’ve been in the engine for a longer time and have collected oil. Over time, the oil can break down the metal and cause corrosion. Corrosion can cause the metal to crumble down onto the spark plug electrodes, which can cause a poor connection. Because iridium is a very hard metal, it’s much more prone to corrosion than other spark plug materials.